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reat Encouragement to Perseverance in Missionary Labours, 



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SERMON, 



DELIVERED BEFORE THE 



NORTHERN MISSIONARY SOCIETY, 



THEIR ANNUAL MEETING IN LANSINGBURGH, 
SEPTEMBER ©, 181*. 
AND PUBLISHED AT THEIR REQ,TIE9T\ 



By ROBERT FORREST, 

Miniiter of the Gospel, Stamford, Delaware County, State of Neir-York. 



ALBANY: 
PRINTED BY E. AND E. HOSFORD. 



1815. 



i 



3Fi 



TO 



THE SEVEP.Ein) 



Da. JOHN H. LIVINGSTON, 

PRESIDENT OF QUEEN* S COLLEGE 
NEW-JERSEY, 

#OT MORE 
DISTINGUISHED 



THEOLOGICAL LEARNING, 

THAN FOR 

ZEAL IN THE INTERESTS 

OF 

MISSIONARY AND BIBLE SOCIETIES, 

THIS DISCOURSE 

IS INSCRIBED, 

IN TESTIMONY OJ 
THE RESPECT AND AFFECTION 



Stamford, y 
Sept 1815. > 



Of THJ 

AUTHOR. 



A SERMON 



John iv. 35 — 38. 

Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh 
harvest 1 Behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, 
and look on the fields ; for they are white already to 
harvest. And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and 
gathereth fruit unto life eternal : thai both he that 
soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together. 
And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and 
another reapeth. I sent you to reap that whereon ye 
bestowed no labour : other men laboured, and ye arc 
entered into their labours. 

S passage contains a species of parable deli- 
vered to the disciples in the vicinity of Sychar, a 
city of the Samaritans. The woman of Samaria, 
with whom our Lord had been lately conversing, 
having been convinced of sin and brought to the 
knowledge of the truth, had gone to publish to the 
citizens the great things she had seen and heard. 
The disciples were just returned from the city where 
they had gone to purchase provisions, and they ad- 
dressed Christ, 6 Master, eat.' He answered, ' I have 
meat to eat that ye know not of. 9 This answer was 



6 

evidently dictated in a great measure from the plea- 
sing prospect he had of the conversion of the Sama- 
ritans; for he immediately added, ' Say not ye, There 
are yd four months, and then comelh harvest V It was 
now about the time of the winter solstice, four months 
before harvest, in the land of Palestine. Do you 
not sav, in four months there will be harvest ? But 
* look on the fields for they are white already to har- 
vest' To what harvest? The spiritual harvest — it 
was ready to commence. The common opinion re- 
specting the meaning of these words, is certainly 
correct. * That our Lord now directed the attention 
of the disciples to the inhabitants of Samaria, who, 
excited by the report of the woman, were coming 
in crowds to enquire after him as the promised Mes- 
siah.' 

The conversion of the Samaritans w r as the first 
ripe fruits of that harvest soon to be reaped among 
the Gentile nations ; and Christ seems to refer in ge- 
neral to the conversion of the heathen in that new 
dispensation which was about to commence. Mes- 
siah visiting Samaria was a proof that he was 6 a 
light to lighten the Gentiles,' and the conversion of 
sinners in that city was a pledge of the conversion 
of multitudes of the heathen, by the ministrations of 
his apostles. Christ intimates to the disciples that 
while it was their honour and felicity to be reapers 
in this harvest, gathering in souls into eternal life, 



1 



they ought to remember that the fields had been sow- 
ed by others. ' Ye are entered into their labours' 
And therefore the honour and profit were not exclu- 
sively their own. There seems here to be a reference 
to the labours of Old Testament prophets, who fore- 
told the coming Messiah, and called sinner to repen- 
tance—to the labours of John Baptist who came to 
prepare the way of the Lord— and perhaps to Christ's 
personal ministry.* Those labourers were only 
sowing seed, thev saw little fruit of their labours 
while with the church on earth ; it was reserved for 
others to be reapers when God would pour out his 
Spirit according to his promise. But says our Lord, 
* the labours of your predecessors shall not be for- 
gotten* they shall have their reward, they shall have 
as much reason to rejoice in the harvest, as you have, 
They have laboured and you have entered upon 
their labours.' 

We are met this day to plead the cause of missions 
to the Heathen, and the truth here presented afford 
us the greatest encouragement, f Twenty years 

* Vide Lampe in loco. 

t The Missionary Society of London, the parent of the Asso- 
ciations in different parts of Europe, and the United States, was 
formed Sept. 22, 23, 24, 1795. The ship Duff, Capt. James 
Wilson, with twenty-nine Missionaries, sailed from Spithead, for 
the South Sea Islands, Sept. 23, 1796. 6 This singular vessel, 
the first, it is supposed, ever solely employed in so glorious an 
undertaking, since the creation of the world, has realized the 
fancy of the poet, 

erit altera quae vehat Argo 

Delectos heroas'- — - 



5 



elapse this month, since Associations began to be 
formed upon a large scale, in different parts, of the 
Protestant churches, for the purpose of conveying 
the gospel to heathen lands. Connected with those 
motives which at all times and under every circum- 
stance will excite the friends of Christianity to put 
the heathen in possession of the w 7 ord of life, the 
Church in the present age was powerfully excited by 
the hope of the millennium, and with an holy ambi- 
tion, the saints were desirous to be found preparing 
God a way upon the earth. 

That there will be a period of long duration, be- 
fore the end of time, when the Christian religion 
shall be known and professed by all nations, when 
wars shall cease, when the influence of spiritual foes 
shall be greatly abridged, when evangelical purity 
shall adorn the sentiments, dispositions, and manners 
of all ranks, and that this blessed period is fast ap- 
proaching, is a subject so clearly predicted, that with 
very few exceptions, it has been the general belief 
of the Christian world. 

It is, however, the opinion of many, that mission- 
ary labours are attended with little or no success.* 

* To fail here is more honourable than to succeed in most 
other pursuits. Will it tinge our cheeks with shame when we 
are laid on a death-bed, that we were strenuously engaged in an 
unsuccessful effort to spread the knowledge of Christ among the 
Heathen ? or will it cover us with blushes when we approach the 
throne of God, at the judgment, to haye it said by an attending 



9 



That some of the attempts to propagate the gospel 
athOTig the Heathen have failed, either in whole or in 
part, is admitted; but success has attended many: 
as in the missions of the General Assembly of the 
Presbyterian Church, among the Indians of the 
Southern States : the missions of the New- York 
Society among the Tuscaroras, and of this Society 
among the Oneidas. The London Society have been 
very successful in Southern Africa,* the Edinburgh, 
in the Russian dominions, near the Caspian Sea, and 
the Baptists, in British India. But admitting, for the 
sake of argument, that success has been far less than 
it is actually found to be, have we not as much en- 
couragement to proceed, as the first day we stepped 
forward in this glorious work? We are here inform- 
ed that the predecessors of the Apostles were unsuc- 
cessful, but they were sowing precious seed which 
was not permitted to perish. 

We shall accommodate the passage to the design of 
our present meeting. And shall endeavour to shew 

spirit, " This man was an ardent supporter of an unsuccessful 
« society, whose object was to bring the Heathen to seek salva- 
" tion through the blood of the Redeemer's cross." 

Bogue** Sermon at the formation of the Missionary Society of London, p. 156, 

* Pleasing accounts are said to have been lately received from 
the Missionaries in the South Sea Islands. The author has had 
the pleasure of visiting the Missions in this State, among the 
Tuscaroras and the Oneidas, and has been an eye witness to t^lieir 



10 

you, that the work of propagating Christianity among 
the Heathtn, is sowing fields in which shall be reap- 
ed a rich harvest before the end of the world — and 
our reward when this harvest shall be reaped by 
others. 

I. The work of propagating Christianity among 
the Heathen, is sowing fields where a rich harvest 
shall be reaped before the end of the world. 

I, The means which are now employed have been al- 
ready blessed, and shall certainly continue to bt blessed 
for the conversion of some of the Heathen^ and their 
introduction into the Church of God, rvho shall be in- 
strumental in transmitting the truth to future genera- 
tions. 

Wherever God has elect vessels he will send his 
gospel ; it is the means he has instituted for bringing 
tl em to himself And it is probable t hat the gospel 
is very seldom sent to any people where there are not 
gome ordained to enjoy salvation with eternal glory ! 
We may reasonably expect to hear of (he conversion 
of some of the Heathen. We have ground to be- 
lievp that by the labours of this society, some have 
been brought to the knowledge of the truth. Ad- 
mitting lhat the number is small, will not the value 
of a few immortal souls fully repay all the money 
you may have expended ; — all your labours for this 
society, — and, all your anxieties for the conversion 



li 



of Ihe Heathen ?* But the conversion of a few of 
the Heathen in the present day, is an object of great 
magnitude in another point of view. Here seed is 
sown not to perish in the earth. Converts among 
the Heathen will certainly employ the most serious, 
and the most earnest endeavour?, to engage their 
children to serve the God of their fathers.f We may 
reasonably hope that their labours will be accompa- 
nied with the divine blessing, for God has instituted 
this method for transmitting religion from one gen- 
eration to another. 6 1 know Abraham, said the Lord, 
that he will command his children and his household 
after him, to keep the nay of the Lord, to do justice 
and judgment'% Do we not find that the pious in- 
structions of Abraham had a happy influence not 
only upon Isaac and Jacob, but upon their poster- 
ities for many ages? Do we not find that although 
at certain seasons religion seemed almost to have 
perished from among the seed of Abraham, yet God 

* The Northern Missionary Society have a Christian Congre- 
gation among the Oneida Indians, where the seals of God's cov- 
enant are regularly dispensed. The number of communicants 
is above thirty. 

t No people on earth discover greater affection and attachment 
to their children than the North American Indians. What may 
we not expect when this disposition is sanctified by divine grace ? 
In the History of the Moravian Missions, we have several ac= 
counts of the pleasant deaths of Indian children, who probably 
received their ideas of religion from their parents, 

J Gen. xviii, 19, 



12 

never suffered it to become extinct. c He remember- 
ed his holy promise, and his servant Abraham' 

Some of the Indian tribes among whom we have 
brethren and sisters in Christ Jesus, are disposed to 
admire and to imitate the arts of civilized nations. 
Others retain their former customs and remove fur- 
ther into the wilderness c traversing the forest in 
quest of the uncertain prey.' Bat whatever may 
be their political circumstances, the happy influence 
of their religious education, will be seen and felt 
even in remote ages. It is worthy of observation^ 
that although we do not read of the good effects of 
Abraham's instructions upon Ishmael, nor of Isaac's 
instructions upon Esau, yet it is manifest that Job 
and his friends inhabited a country which was far 
from being destitute of the knowledge of the true 
God. They were the descendants of Esau whose 
posterity as well as that of Ishmael, settled in Ara- 
bia, Thus we bee God by the unseen operations of 
bis Providence, preserving the knowledge of salva- 
tion from being utterly extinguished from among (he 
posterity of his servant.* The instructions and pious 
example of Abraham, had a powerful effect in the 
glorious revivals of religion in after ages. 

These considerations certainly afford us great en- 
couragement even upon the supposition that the Mis* 
sionary spirit may decline. The universal spread of 

* Vide Lawson's Sermons on the Education of Children. 



13 

Christianity in the latter days, will certainly be a 
progressive work. The word of truth accompanied 
with the power of the Spirit, shall gradually prevail 
until error and vice are banished from the world. 
When the Lord shall be pleased to pour out his Spir- 
it, (he happy effects of religious habits and religious 
instruction, will be seen and felt. Such things in- 
deed, give no claim to the divine mercy, yet under 
these circumstances men are more likely to become 
partakers of divine grace, than where such things are 
unknown. Of those who are now converted by the 
gospel and prove the most steady Christians, ' whose 
firmness may be counted upon in the hour of tiial/ 
the far greater part were dedicated to God in infan- 
cy, and have beer* trained up in the knowledge of 
his truth. 

2. We put the Heathen in possession of the Scrip- 
tures which shall he found highly usejul in preparing 
the nations for the glory of the latter days. Something 
analogous to this having been actually employed by 
God when he introduced the gospel dispensation* 

The circulation of the scriptures in the languages 
of the Heathen nations, is one primary object in (lie 
Missionary Associations of the Reformed Churches. 
Some of the Missionary Societies aided by Bible So- 
cieties, have already done considerable in the pro- 

* Vide Pricieaux's Connections, Edward's History of Redemp- 
tion, &c> 



14 



gccuiion of this design.* This Society will not be 
behind others in the important work, whenever cir- 
cumstances shall permit them. Our sister Society 
in this Stale, it is said, have turned their attention to 
this sunjee!, and they will naturally look to us as 
well as Bible Societies, for co-operation.f The ex- 
perience of our Moravian Brethren and others, evince 
that no great difficulty can arise from the want of a 
written language among the Indian tribes. 

The effect produced by the reading of the Scrip- 

* The Baptists Society, and the Missionary Societies of Lon- 
don and of Edinburgh. Our Moravian Brethren also have paid 
attention to this subject ; more than sixty years ago they had trans- 
lated several portions of scripture into the Delaware and Mahi- 
kan languages. Vide Loskiel's History of Missions. Part 2. 
p. 154. ° 

f The Society at this meeting appointed a Committee to cor- 
yespoud with their Brethren in New-York upon this subject. 
They have printed a translation of Dr. Biatchford's Address to 
the Indians, by Mr. Eleazar .Williams. Mr. W. is the son of a 
Chief of the Iroquois nation, among whom he has constantly lived, 
except during the time he has been engaged in acquiring his En- 
glish education. It is contemplated by the Bishop of the Protes- 
tant Episcopal Church in this State to employ Mr. W. as 4 a 
School-master Catechist and Lay Reader' among the Indian 
Tribes: and also to furnish the Indians with portions of the Bi- 
ble and the Book of Common Prayer, in their own language. 
The translation is to be printed under the superintendance cf Mr. 
W. But why not unite with other Christian denominations and 
translate the whole scriptures into these languages ? The most 
respectable members of the Episcopalian Church in England are 
at this day, the chief supporters of Bible Societies, formed in ev- 
ery respect upon the plan of those now in operation in this coun* 
try. 



IS 

(ares where men are not favoured with public learn- 
ing, cannot indeed, in ordinary cases, be compared 
with the full enjoyment of the. divine word and di- 
vine ordinances. We may have heard of the con- 
version of individuals, but we never heard of the 
conversion of a multitude by the mere reading of the 
scriptures. But it is not our intention to send the 
scriptures alone among the Heathen, but as coupled 
with public leaching. For (he sake of argument 
however, let us suppose that we merely give them 
the word of God, and teach them to read it. The 
existence of the Scriptures among the Heathen, un- 
der these circumstances, is an object of great magni- 
tude for the future enlargement of the Church** 

* The following anecdote was related at a late meeting- of the 
Aberdeen Bible Society (in Scotland) by the Rev. Mr. Grant, 
one of the Ministers of the Orkney Islands, who was an eve-wit- 
ness of the scene. " Last year a Swedish vessel was driven upon 
our coast in a tremendous gale, and went to pieces. All on hoard 
perished, except one man, who was driven on shore upon a piece 
of the wreck, entwined among the ropes, Half naked and half 
drowned. As soon as the people rescued him, astonishment fil- 
led their minds, by observing a small parcel tied firmly round his 
waist with a handkerchief. Some of them concluded it was his 
money — others, it was the ship's papers, Sec. To their astonish- 
ment, it was his Bible ; a Bible given to the lad's father, from 
the British and Foreign Bible Society. Upon the blank leaf was 
a prayer written, that the Lord would make the present gift the 
means of saving his son's soul. Upon the other blank leaf was 
an account how the Bible came into the old man's hands, and a 
tribute of gratitude to the Society. The request was that the 
son should make it the man of his counsel ; and that he could not 



16 

We find that something similar to this, actually con- 
tributed in a high degree, to the diffusion of Chris- 
tianity in the Apostolic age. After the Babylonish 
captivity, many of the Jews (though permitted by 
Cyrus) did not return to their own land, but remain- 
ed in the Persian empire, where in consequence of 
civil revolutions, th-ey were soon scattered from In- 
dia to Ethiopia. In this state they continued till 
the coming of Christ. These Jews, in their disper- 
sion, retained their religion, and carried with them 
copies of the law and of some of the prophets.— 
They communicated to the Heathen, some of the 
leading truths of divine revelation, particularly the 
promises respecting Messiah. 

Along with these oral instructions, a considerable 
part of the world was soon favoured with the Old 
Testament, in the Greek language. Many of the 
Jews in their dispersion, having in a great measure 
lost their own language, the Septuagint translation 
was formed for their use, in a language as well under- 
stood in the countries bordering upon Palestine, as 
the French is, at this day, in the commercial nations 
of Europe. 

Many of the Heathen nations had, therefore, in 
some measure, the word of God in their hands. 

allow him to depart from home, without giving him the best 
pledge of his love, a Bible ; though that gift deprived the other 
parts of the family. The Bible bore evident marks of being of- 
ten read with tears" 



1? 



And what was the consequence ? We find an expec* 
tation of the coming of Christ; Jews and Gentiles 
were prepared to hear of new and strange events.* 
And in many places where the apostles went preach- 
ing the gospel, they found men ready to sift their 
principles by the Old Testament scriptures. In con- 
sequence of these things, the labours of the apostles 
were greatly abridged in many places where they 
were called to preach the gospel. Supernatural ef- 
ficacy did then accompany the gospel, and must al- 
ways accompany it wherever it is successful : but 
the Holy Spirit deals with men, as rational crea- 
tures, informing the understanding, and affecting 
the heart, by means of the divine word. 

If the circulation of the word of God, in a very 

* In proof of this, we present the testimonies of two Roman 
Historians, Suetonius and Tacitus. The words of Suetonius are 
these : " Percrebuerat oriente toto vetus et constans opinio, esse 
" in fatis, ut Judaea profecti re rum potirentur i. e. There was 
an ancient and general o/iinion, famous through all the Eastern 
parts, that the Fates had determined, that there should come out 
of Judca those who should govern the world. The testimony of 
Tacitus is equally explicit — « Pluribus persuasio inerat, antiquis 
« sacerdotum libiis contineri, eo ipso tempore fore, ut valesceret 
« oriens, profectique Judsea rerum potirentur*' i. e. Many were 
persuaded that it was contained in the ancient books of the priests, 
that at that time the East should prevail, and that they who should 
govern the world, were to come out of Judea. By the ancient 
books of the priests is certainly meant Old Testament prophe- 
cies. The last expression is the same with that of Suetonius, 
and evidently taken from Micah v. 2. Vide Sueton. Ernest. Lip. 
1738. p. 438. Taciti. Hist. lib. 5. c. 13. 

3 



IS 

partial manner, was so useful in an age of miracles 
and of inspiration, what may we reasonably expect 
from the present exertions of Missionary and Bible 
Societies, in diffusing the Scriptures throughout the 
world ? It seems to be a part of the divine plan, that 
before any great revival of religion, God prepares 
the way for a more general acquaintance with the 
Scriptures. It is well known how much Luther's 
translation of the Bible in Germany, and Tyndale's 
translation in England, contributed to advance the 
interests of the Reformation, but it wa& the art of 
printing which afforded facilities for this purpose. 
The invention of this art preceded the Reformation 
little more than 60 years.* By circulating the word 
of God among the Heathen, we are not therefore 
sowing seed to perish in the earth. When God shall 
be pleased ' to pour water on the thirsty,' it shall be 
manifest that we have not laboured in vain. 

3. We are preparing an asylum for the saints, should 
the Lord be pleased to remove his Gospel jrora nations 
now distinguished for spiritual privileges. 

It is not our intention at present to enter upon an 

* Printing was invented at Strasburgh, by John Guttenburg, 
A. D. 1440; the Reformation commenced early in the following 
century. When we read the curious facts which are recorded by 
the Historians of the middie ages, relative to the high price of the 
Scriptures; the punishments to which men were exposed very 
often when found reading them, and recoliect the felicity of our 
own time, what gratitude do we not owe to the sovereign dispo- 
ser of all things. 



19 

•examination of those predictions which evidently 
relate to the sufferings of the Protestant Eur p an 
Nat ions and Churches, previous to the commence- 
ment of the millennium. Did the time permit, we 
might show, that the witnesses are not yet slain ; that 
1 mourning, and lamentation, and woe* are written 
in that flying roll which passes swiftly over the na- 
tions which have at any time € given their power and 
strength unto the beast.' That it is highly probable 
the time is fast approaching, when multitudes of the 
saints in those countries, deprived of all their out- 
ward privileges, shall be forced to seek refuge in 
foreign climes. But behold the Lord by Missionary 
labours in the east and west, and north and south, 
among nations which never bowed to the authority 
of Antichrist, providing chambers of safety 0>r his 
people c until the indignation be over-past.' When 
that day arrives, the Heathen tribes will know the 
hearts of strangers, for they were once themselves 
spiritual strangers. 

We readily admit that this consideration is not 
exclusively an encouragement to missionary labours 
among the Heathen. It is a powerful inducement to 
spread the knowledge of salvation in the United 
States; we have never, as a nation, supported the 
power of Antichrist. Independent of our labours 
among the Indians, this Society have lor some time 
past, sent missionaries to labour in different parts of 



20 

the country, which are destitute of the means of 
grace. Pleasing intelligence is frequently receiv- 
ed of the success of these missions. 

IT. Our reward when this harvest shall be reaped 
bv others. 

Then c he that soweth, and he that reapeth, shall 
rejoice together. 9 It is evident that Christ does not 
refer in this place, to the joy of his servants at the 
general judgment, when the full effects of their la- 
bours are exhibited to all rational creatures. But 
to the joy of Old Testament prophets, John Bap- 
tist, and others when the aposlles should have great 
success in preaching the gospel to the Gentiles. Rut 
how could Old Testament prophets, and John Bap- 
tist, rejoice in the success of the apostles, when they 
were not present? And how shall we rejoice in the 
latter day glory, w 7 hen we shall then be asleep with 
our fathers? 

We may certainly infer from these words, That 
the Church in heaven is well acquainted with the circum - 
stances of the Church in this world, and that during 
any period of the Church 9 s prosperity on earth, there 
nill be additional happiness to those in heaven rvho may 
have one day contributed to forward this glorious work. 

The Church in heaven is certainly well acquainted 
with the circumstances of the Church on earth, by 
nieans of the ministrations of Holy Angels and the 
frequent arrivals of kindred spirit ? redeemed from 



21 

the earth. Whether the Saints in glory have any 
other mode of being acquainted with the affairs of 
this world, is a question which we are not competent, 
to answer. The Holy Angels are well acquainted 
with the state of the Church in this world ; here they 
are constantly employed on business which concerns 
the heirs of salvation. They are deeply interested 
in the prosperity of the Church, there is joy among 
the Angels at the conversion of sinners. The Holy 
Angels will be able to inform the Saints now engaged 
in the various parts of Missionary duty, and they 
will do it with pleasure : That the seed they had 
sow 7 ed has not perished, as they often feared, but is 
producing in some thirty, in some sixty, and in some 
an hundred fold : That the handful of corn they had 
cast on the tops of the mountains, is now shaking like 
the trees of Mount Lebanon. 

In heaven there will be arrivals every day, yea 
every hour from all parts of this globe, and there will 
be no want of religious intelligence of the most inter- 
esting and the most agreeable nature. Some will be 
constantly entering the heavenly mansions, who will 
congratulate you for your now 7 despised labours to 
the Indian tribes, and to be your crowns of rejoicing 
for ever. 

Connected with these things we mar also ob- 
serve, that the memory of men now engaged in any 
of the departments of Missionary labors, will be ex.- 



ceeding precious in this world during the happy days 
of the church. We embalm the memory, and are dis- 
posed to make many enquiries (from a principle of 
laudable curiosity) respecting those who may have 
been the honoured instruments of introducing the 
gospel into our country, or into the place where we 
first received religious impressions. 

At the formation of the Missionary Society of 
London, one of the members expressed a sentiment 
upon this subject which is congenial to the Christian 
mind ; — " O that we knew the names of those who 
introduced the gospel into the Island of Britain™ 
We shall know them in heaven. 1 * Of such we are 
disposed to say like David on another occasion, — 
" Is there any yet left of the house of Saul that I may 
shew him kindness for Jonathan's sake ?" On the 
banks of the Missouri, and on the shores of the Paci- 
fic, after ages have elapsed, I see crowds of Christian 
Indians with grateful emotions relating your labours 
of love, and sedulously enquiring if there yet remains 
any of the descendants of the men of this Association, 
that they may shew them kindness for their fathers' 
sake. 

It .is probable that in the days of the millennium, 
no part of church history (except that of our redemp- 
tion) will be so interesting as the labours of Mis- 
sionary and Bible Societies, Brethren, your na nes 
will be enrolled in the annals of fame, among mar- 



23 

tyrs and reformer?, and the benefactor? of our world. 
In (hose clays when religion will command all the ef- 
forts of human genius, and all the stores of human 
literature, the transactions of this c .Era of Christian 
benevolence' may be exhibited (even to the man of 
mere taste and science) with inconceivably more suh- 
li nity and beauty, than any thing now to be found 
in the Historian's page, or the Poet's line. 

But pardon me, brethren, I will not for a moment 
harbour the thought that you are influenced by no 
higher motives than the love of posthumous fame. 
Having tasted that the Lord is gracious, you will be 
excited in your Missionary labours from zeal for the 
glory of a redeeming God, and compassion for a per- 
ishing world. 

In making another appeal to your Christian libe- 
rality, to enable to carry on this work of the Lord* 
we trust that none present will be disposed to object, 
" We have long contributed to this institution, and we 
are tired." Is not God's goodness to you more than 
commensurate with your liberality, while this work 
is the cause of God, and shall assuredly prosper ? 
You profess to believe the testimony of God concer- 
ning his Son, and to have committed to him the sal- 
vation of your souls, and do you not believe that 
God's word will be verified in every particular ? I bis 
he not said there is that givcth yet encreaseth ? It is 
1rue, we do hot look for perfection in this world, but 



surely the least that we can expect is some degree of 
consistency. But it is very difficult to perceive this 
where men profess to confide iheir eternal happiness 
to the Lord Jesus, and refuse to trust him with their 
temporal concerns. " But this I say, He which sow- 
eth sparingly, shall reap also sparingly, and he that 
soweth bountifully, shall reap also bountifully, every 
man according as he purposed in his heart, so let him 
give not grudgingly or of necessity, for God loveth 
a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace 
abound toward you, that ye, always having all-suffi- 
ciency in all things, may abound to every good 
woik.*" 'Christ has loved us and given himself 
for us,' therefore we w ill ' honor him with our sub- 
stance' and to zealous exertions we will join fervent 
prayers — c Let thy way be known upon the earth, 
thy saving health among all nations.'f And let the 
whole earth be filled with thy glory. Amen and 
Amen.J 

* 9 Cor. ix. 6— t Ps. Ixvii. 2, % Ps, Ixxii. 19. 



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